Burma president meets with rebel group for first time

AFP - Myanmar's president held his first meeting with Karen rebels on Saturday, officials said, as the government intensifies efforts to bolster peace with the country's oldest insurgent group.

Thein Sein met delegates from the Karen National Union (KNU) "this morning in Naypyidaw", according to a government official who asked not to be named, following negotiations with ministers in Yangon on Friday.

"It was the first meeting between the president and the KNU leaders," another official with links to the peace talks told AFP.

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The official said six delegates -- including members of the armed wing of the group -- were flown "by special flight" to the capital for the landmark meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes.

The KNU members are due to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday, a week after she swept historic by-elections with her party.